About Celtic Symbols

The ancient Celts did not leave much in the way of a written language, but they did use symbols to get their message across. Celtic symbols were used on grand monuments as well as on everyday items, including clothing and household furnishings. Celtic symbols adorned the doorways to let good luck in and keep bad luck out and they believed that the people living inside could absorb the qualities that the symbols represented.

History

The Celtic tribes originated in Eastern Europe and began migrating to the west between 1200 and 700 B.C. They first settled in the area that was to become the countries of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France and developed a new culture, different from that of their ancestors. The Celts flourished during the Iron Age and become excellent blacksmiths and metal workers. The Celts came to the British Isles gradually over the centuries by way of one invasion after the other.

Features

The different types of Celtic symbols have their own meaning and so do the different types of decorations or markings that are found on the symbols. The Triskelion, which looks like three legs, stands for progress. The Triquetra looks like a continuous loop that comes to three points and has mystical meanings. The Triple Spiral signifies the female powers from maiden to mother to crone. The Three Rays look like three sticks pointing in the same direction--the first one stands for male energy, the third one for female energy and the middle one the equality of both. The Single Spiral stands for spiritual energy. Five Fold is four circles that are placed in a circle with their edges touching and one more placed on top. The first four stand for earth, fire, water and air while the top one brings them together. Threefold is three spirals that form a triangle with their tips. The triangle is exactly in the middle, standing for the unity of the three powers. The Double Spiral means equal balance and The Cross signifies the link between heaven and earth. The Celtic Cross has a circle that runs through the four sections, signifying infinity.

Celtic Animal Symbols

The Celts believed using the symbols of animals would transfer the qualities and powers of the animals to them. They believed the Celtic bull symbols would give them a strong will. It was also a sign of virility in men and fertility in women as well as a sign of wealth. The Celtic cat symbols gave the power of insight and intuition while the dog meant good luck and good health. Celtic duck and goose symbols were thought to posses the qualities of honesty and understanding.

Celtic Knot Symbols

Celtic knot symbols can be seen on crosses in cemeteries because the Celtic knot has no beginning or end. It keeps on going, symbolizing the continuance of life after death. It was also used on clothes and household items for good luck, continued good health and a long life.

Celtic Tree Symbols

The tree was a very important symbol to the Celts, who were Druids, or tree worshipers. Each type of tree has a different meaning. The birch tree was a symbol of renewal; the rowan tree meant protection. The symbol of the alder tree was thought to bring endurance, strength and passion and the willow tree brought imagination, intuition and vision. The ash meant wisdom, the hawthorn stood for contradiction and the oak symbolized strength. The Celts used the holly to represent action and objectivity, the hazel meant creativity and the apple was for beauty and love. The blackthorn symbolized control, the elder meant a time of transition and the fir was a symbol of clarity.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Celtic Symbol Meanings